Any architecture students here
Discussion
What has the university in question asked for?!!?? They usually have examples on their websites of the sort of thing...
She just needs so show that she has a creative mind, can get concepts down on paper in a proffesional way... The more coherant thinking the entire thing has the better.... and if she has an interview she had better be ready to talk about the things in her port..
She just needs so show that she has a creative mind, can get concepts down on paper in a proffesional way... The more coherant thinking the entire thing has the better.... and if she has an interview she had better be ready to talk about the things in her port..
There is certainly some info on the uni website, but just looking for some thoughts from anyone who has experience of Architecture interviews. It's a bit outside my realm of experience and I can't donate any confidence, which seems to be a bit of an issue, but I guess it's up to jr. which is the way it should be....ho hum
Thevet said:
Need some help with the daughter's application for a place on a course for architecture. She's female and teenage so reasonable argument or suggestion is out of the question, but any suggestions as to the most suitable contents of her portfolio when taken to an interview?
If no-one here answers - or maybe in addition - you could always get in touch with a local architect's practice? I'd bet they'd be very happy to help.
I'm an architect in practise in Bristol...
DO seek guidance from the departments / prospectuses of the Unis your daughter is interested in. Schools of Architecture all vary subtley in approach and emphases.
Basically, at this stage a portfolio is to demonstrate an interest in design , the built environment, observation, people/society, that kind of thing. It won't be a coherent work or have to demonstarte brilliance and it really doesn't have to be any particular medium. Think of it as a formal scrapbook of things she's found interesting; it might be related artwork, photographs taken etc etc. The admission tutors will be looking for an interest in all of these but, fundamentally, a kind of tempramental 'fit' to a course which is wide-ranging in scope (from fine art to physics via studio work), time-consuming and requires continued application, if she sticks with it, a very long time through to qualification!
Happy to answer any particular questions you may have...
DO seek guidance from the departments / prospectuses of the Unis your daughter is interested in. Schools of Architecture all vary subtley in approach and emphases.
Basically, at this stage a portfolio is to demonstrate an interest in design , the built environment, observation, people/society, that kind of thing. It won't be a coherent work or have to demonstarte brilliance and it really doesn't have to be any particular medium. Think of it as a formal scrapbook of things she's found interesting; it might be related artwork, photographs taken etc etc. The admission tutors will be looking for an interest in all of these but, fundamentally, a kind of tempramental 'fit' to a course which is wide-ranging in scope (from fine art to physics via studio work), time-consuming and requires continued application, if she sticks with it, a very long time through to qualification!
Happy to answer any particular questions you may have...
actually, ringing up departments at universities to ask is a very good strategy. They are generally very helpful and will answer all the questions. RIng the admissions tutor. Make sure your daughter rings up herself and does this, though. A big benefit of this is also that it gets your name known to the admissions tutor early on.
Thevet said:
Need some help with the daughter's application for a place on a course for architecture. She's female and teenage so reasonable argument or suggestion is out of the question, but any suggestions as to the most suitable contents of her portfolio when taken to an interview?
Now where's that "This thread is useless without pics" smiley when you need it most...
3 of my best uni-mates are now architects and an ex-gf was an architecture student when we were going out.
I would suggest that some variety is good, anything that shows her general interest in building design and planning. Maybe one or two of her best pieces from her art/graphic-communicaton courses at high school? Maybe some photos? The idea of a built-environment scrapbook is good, get her to take a walk through your local area and try sketching interesting features - every town has them!
_Batty_ said:
Steamer said:
Does she have a collection of favorite designers / architects / buildings?
Having a genuine passion helps.
7 years of uni fees and not a fab final salary means this is a must!Having a genuine passion helps.
7 years is a very serious commitment, and at that age I'm not sure I'd of really appreciated what being an architect is 'really all about'.
I remember chatting to an architect while on holiday a few years back... I asked him what area he specialised in, he told me he working on school / educational building. I exclaimed 'that must be really exciting & fun!"....
....to which he answered: Not really... have you ever studied a construction drawing?
Steamer said:
_Batty_ said:
Steamer said:
Does she have a collection of favorite designers / architects / buildings?
Having a genuine passion helps.
7 years of uni fees and not a fab final salary means this is a must!Having a genuine passion helps.
7 years is a very serious commitment, and at that age I'm not sure I'd of really appreciated what being an architect is 'really all about'.
I remember chatting to an architect while on holiday a few years back... I asked him what area he specialised in, he told me he working on school / educational building. I exclaimed 'that must be really exciting & fun!"....
....to which he answered: Not really... have you ever studied a construction drawing?
The point is, Architecture is a bit of a vocation - for those who go the length it's about the mix of everything it requires. I can't really imagine doing anything else, building stuff is fun. And when there's a clash you are the person everyone expects to draw the answer with a marker. It's quite demanding and high-pressure at times, but so is everything worthwhile.
There's really no way you can know if that's for you at 18, but that's OK. Many students just treat it as a first degree and leave at that point taking with them a good, broad-based skillset and a slightly different way of lookng at the world.
There's really no way you can know if that's for you at 18, but that's OK. Many students just treat it as a first degree and leave at that point taking with them a good, broad-based skillset and a slightly different way of lookng at the world.
Steamer said:
I remember chatting to an architect while on holiday a few years back... I asked him what area he specialised in, he told me he working on school / educational building. I exclaimed 'that must be really exciting & fun!"....
....to which he answered: Not really... have you ever studied a construction drawing?
i'd agree with his sentiment - my practice specalises in historic buildings, mainly religious buildings... but it still dull as crap at times when your into fixing the design to meet regulations etc.....to which he answered: Not really... have you ever studied a construction drawing?
at least its not as dull as tin sheds for commercial and industrial developers - now that gets dull real quick.
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